LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Oct. 9

Monday, October 8, 2012

Wording of proposal confusing

Gov. Rick Snyder wants a new bridge across the Detroit River built more than anything. In order to do this, he and other Republicans have resorted to write the language of the proposal to fool the voters.

A "yes" vote means to hold a vote so that the people of Michigan will decide whether to build a bridge. A "no" vote means, yes he want the bridge without a vote.

Let's put a stop to this nonsense by making it a law that "yes" means "yes" and "no" means "no." I don't know how everyone else feels about this, so put your opinion in writing and let the governor know how you feel.

CHARLES E. SORNIG

Waterford Township

Dem suggestions rejected

With the approval of the fiscal year 2013-2015 county budget, residents are left with more of the same from of the Patterson administration: partisanship and a lack of new ideas.

It is a shame that the Republican-controlled County Commission rejected every single idea and proposal presented by the Democrats on the commission. Why weren't any of the items presented by these commissioners worthy of consideration? The answer is simple: it's not possible. These proposals were not defeated on their merit. They were defeated because they were submitted by Democrats.

L. Brooks Patterson has given Republican commissioners clear marching orders to make sure the Democrats never have an opportunity to look good. Not only is this tactic right out of the Mitch McConnell playbook, this gamesmanship is not in the best interests of Oakland County residents.

Given this approach, coupled with the fact that the Patterson administration has no vision as to how to move Oakland County forward, residents of Oakland County are left with more of the same. This budget fails to plan strategically about economic development, avoids a thoughtful analysis of which programs are working and which are not and it continues to ignore the need to retain and attract the best and brightest minds in the county workforce.

This budget is just another indication that the Patterson administration has blinders on about the challenges facing Oakland County. If challenges are not acknowledged, they cannot be addressed.